I've been to St Vincent, but not the Grenadines, the small group of islands which lie to south of that island and together with St Vincent, form part of that island nation. St Vincent is beautiful but very basic island. I found it hard to reconcile that place with what I'd heard of the glamour and luxury found just a short ferry ride away in the Grenadines and have always wondered why there was no real crossover between the two lifestyles.

Anyway, I came across this gorgeous house which is situated on Bequia, one of the islands of the Grenadines, and I think it personifies my ideal island home. I love the blurring of the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. The views are spectacular, the best use is made of the hilly terrain and the house is designed with high ceilings and wooden shutters to allow maximum circulation of air enabling the occupants to keep cool naturally, rather than relying on air-conditioning to do so.